WHITE CANYONS, RIYADH
- DON BANARIA
- Apr 9, 2021
- 3 min read
White Canyons is another exciting place to explore in one of the Tuwaiq Mountain points in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Covering a vast area of the mountain range, it has several points to explore so that you will be able to see its hidden beauty treasures. One day is not enough to cover the entire area.
Series of water-carved sinkholes are found at the end point of the gulley.
Shown here is the series of holes carved by strong current of waterflows down to the valley
First big and deep sinkhole from the gulley starting point
The 2nd hole is twin holes. In the picture, the author stands at the base of the hole
The author checking the other hole
The author jumps to the base of the other hole
Quick Facts:
Location: Al Moqbel Palaces
Tuwaiq Mountain Range
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Distance: From the City Center of Riyadh 66 Km
Travel Time: 1 Hour & 10 Min
Distance from
The main Hi-way: 9 Km dirt road drive
From the Berry
Park & Camel Trail: 7 Km
Activities:
Trekking Adventure
Picnic & Overnight Camping
Sightseeing
What to Expect
Expected to see in White Canyons are
· Rock Sink Holes carved by waters for millions of years
· Ladderized/series of sinkholes at the end of the gulley
· Along the gulley, there are the caved-in formation of rock cliff where you can hide from the sun
The main hole jacuzzi at the end point of gulley. Following are the other holes going down to the valley.
Suggested Period of Visit
The best time to visit and do the adventure is the winter season.
If you plan to do a whole day picnic, early morning is better to have enough time to explore the place. Then leave the site before sundown because there is no street light along the dirt road.
No worries, as long as you have the basic things you need to bring for overnight camping.
What to Bring:
· Drinking waters inside your backpack while exploring.
· You should have something to eat while exploring.
· Tent for overnight camping
· Flashlights & lantern lights
· Candle and another open flame lighting at night will not work because of the wind blows.
· Other usual camping gears.
Accessibility
Type of Car to Drive
· Sedan type could manage but just be watchful during the drive.
· Cars with higher clearance are much better, but not necessarily.
View from the top of the end point of the gulley
Along the gulley, there are points for resting under the trees or under the caved-in cliff to hide from the sunlight.
The place where you need to park the car and start the adventure.
The final drop of the flood waters flowing during heavy rains
The end point of the gulley down to the valley. For those standing 6 foot tall can possibly pass through this ditch, however it takes skill and nerves to do it with extra precaution.
The author disappointed, because he is too short to reach the footing from clinging the rock pane to get to the valley down the end point.
Visiting White Canyons is not that difficult because the access road is in good condition. It is a rough road but not necessarily a 4-wheel drive car because you are going on a plateau terrain, almost plain.
Below direction is precisely the point I explored during my visit. From the place where you will park your car, you will see the gulley's starting point, go through that gulley, and follow through until the end point, a deep drop cliff with a series of sinkholes.
If you wish to advance to the valley below the cliff, you need to find a direction to get down. I cannot point here because I did not go down the valley below.
See the video for other information:
Direction
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